Raiders, OL Andrus Peat Agree To Deal
Andrus Peat has found a new home in the post-draft wave of free agency. The longtime Saints offensive lineman has agreed to a deal with the Raiders, Ian Rapoport of NFL Network reports.
A 2015 first-round pick, Peat has spent his entire career in New Orleans, starting 102 of his 111 appearances (plus six playoff starts). That included a three-year stretch between 2018 and 2020 where he started all 36 of his games while earning Pro Bowl nods each season. Injuries were often a theme during Peat’s tenure with the Saints; the lineman missed 36 regular season games in nine seasons, including 17 between 2021 and 2022.
Peat bounced back from a health perspective in 2023, appearing in a career-high 16 games. The veteran initially lost his starting guard spot to James Hurst, but Peat eventually worked his way into the lineup at left tackle. Pro Football Focus only ranked him 56th among 81 qualifying offensive tackles, although he did improve on his performance from the previous two campaigns.
The veteran inked a five-year, $57.5MM deal with the Saints in 2020, but after a series of restructurings, the final year of that pact was voided. That made Peat a free agent following the 2023 campaign, and it’s been a relatively quiet offseason for the lineman. The 30-year-old has only been connected to the Titans, although it was assumed his market would pick up following the draft.
Considering Peat’s versatility, he should be in the mix for a starting role in Les Vegas. The Raiders added Cody Whitehair via free agency before selecting Jackson Powers-Johnson in the second round of the draft. Peat will join that duo and holdover Dylan Parham in a competition for the two starting guard spots, although the latest acquisition’s versatility means he could also see some opportunities at either tackle spot.
Tyreek Hill Wants To Finish Career With Dolphins
Tyreek Hill previously hinted that he could hang up his cleats at the conclusion of his current contract. During a recent appearance on the Around the Bar podcast, Hill implied that he’s aiming for one more mega-deal, and the receiver made it clear that he wants to sign that next contract with the Dolphins.
“I love Miami. I love every bit of it,” Hill said (h/t ProFootballTalk.com). “My wife loves it, the kids love it, my mom loves it, and it’s just a beautiful city to live in. There’s so much stuff to do. Obviously, I would like to retire in Miami, but we all know how the NFL is, how jobs go, and people getting promotions over here and we understand that. But Miami is a great city. I love the team I play on, love the guys in the locker room, love the head coach, love the GM. So that means sign me. I love all you guys so much, I want to stay in Miami forever, man. Keep me there.”
Hill’s “sign me” statement is especially telling considering the terms of his current pact. While the receiver is technically signed through the 2026 season, that $30MM-per-year deal only contains guarantees through the 2024 season. That means negotiations on a reworked deal and/or an extension are surely coming, and a divorce will remain a possibility if the Dolphins refuse to meet Hill’s inevitable demands.
Hill now ranks third at his position in average annual salary (behind A.J. Brown and Amon-Ra St. Brown), so it’s not like the Dolphins would be eyeing a significant pay raise. The front office could simply proceed with the current terms of the contract, but there’s a chance Hill will push for some security beyond this upcoming campaign. The Dolphins will also have to consider an extension for Jaylen Waddle, who will be finishing up his rookie contract in 2025.
The Dolphins have been signaling that they intend to move forward with their two-headed monster at wide receiver. Odell Beckham Jr.‘s new contract is for only one season, and the Dolphins only committed to a pair of late-round receivers in the draft (Malik Washington and Tahj Washington). Both Hill and the Dolphins seemingly want to finish out the contract (or even add to it), but the eventual negotiations will likely reveal if that’s a real possibility.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/6/24
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Signed: QB Emory Jones, DE C.J. Ravenell
- Waived: WR Jelani Baker, DT Tre Colbert
Green Bay Packers
- Released: CB Anthony Johnson, DL Deandre Johnson
- Waived/injured: WR Thyrick Pitts
New York Jets
- Signed: QB Andrew Peasley, QB Colby Suits, DB Brandon Codrington
- Waived: QB PeeWee Jarrett, LB Tre Jenkins, DL Manny Jones
Philadelphia Eagles
- Signed: CB Shon Stephens
Latest On Joe Burrow’s Injury Recovery
Nearly six months after suffering a torn wrist ligament, Joe Burrow is throwing to his receivers. The Bengals franchise quarterback hit a significant milestone in his recovery from a wrist injury, as the team’s website passes along that Burrow was participating in the team’s offseason program today.
Monday marked the start of the second phase of the Bengals’ voluntary offseason program. When Burrow underwent surgery to repair a damaged ligament in the middle of his right wrist, it was uncertain when the quarterback would return to the practice field. There were rumblings that Burrow might not start throwing until training camp, but the veteran ended up beating that timeline by almost three months.
While today’s practice wasn’t open to the media, many members of the Bengals organization were excited about Burrow’s recovery, including new QB coach Brad Kragthorpe.
“I think he looked as quick and as athletic as I’ve seen him look,” Kragthorpe told the team’s website. “He looked like the Joe Burrow we’re used to seeing. I didn’t see any difference. I thought the ball came out of his hand well. Confidently. I’m happy where he’s at.”
The late-November surgery ended an injury-marred 2023 campaign for Burrow. Prior to his season-ending injury, the QB was slowed by a calf issue during training camp. That injury continued an ongoing theme where Burrow would miss extended time during training camp (following recovery from an ACL injury (2021) and an appendectomy (2022)).
Burrow previously admitted to ESPN’s Ben Baby that he normally “wouldn’t be throwing until OTAs really anyway,” so the QB sounds like he’s a bit ahead of his standard offseason regimen. Still, given the player’s list of offseason setbacks, it wouldn’t be a surprise if the organization eventually pumps the brakes and takes it slow with their franchise quarterback.
Ravens Received Eight Trade Offers For No. 30 Pick
Before the Ravens scooped up one of the draft’s top defensive prospects in Clemson cornerback Nate Wiggins, the team fielded many trade offers for the No. 30 pick. According to ESPN’s Jamison Hensley, the front office rejected eight trade offers for the team’s first-round selection.
[RELATED: Ravens Sign First-Round CB Nate Wiggins]
The decision to turn down the trade offers wasn’t entirely due to the underwhelming returns. Instead, the Ravens were ecstatic to land a prospect of Wiggins’ caliber late in the first round. The organization didn’t expect the Clemson product to fall to No. 30, with GM Eric DeCosta declaring Wiggins the draft’s top CB prospect and defensive coordinator Zach Orr declaring Wiggins the draft’s top defensive prospect. So, when Baltimore was on the clock, it was unlikely that any trade suitor would pony up the necessary assets to get them to move on from the defensive back.
“For us, it was always, ‘If Nate [is] there, we [are] going to pick,'” DeCosta said (via Hensley). “In our opinion, [he’s] a guy that can be a true shutdown-type corner.”
The unprecedented run on offensive players allowed the Ravens to snag the elite defensive prospect. Wiggins was only the ninth defensive player off the board, and he was the third defensive back to hear his name called (after Toledo’s Quinyon Mitchell and Alabama’s Terrion Arnold).
The 6-2, 175-pounder faced questions about his playing weight, but his length and agility clearly appealed to the Ravens. The cornerback finished his Clemson career having compiled three interceptions and 21 passes defended, culminating in a 2023 campaign where he earned a first-team All-ACC selection.
While the organization clearly has high hopes for their first-round pick, the team has the luxury of not immediately throwing him into the fire. Baltimore has Marlon Humphrey in place as a cornerback cornerstone, and Brandon Stephens had a productive campaign on the opposite side in 2023. Stephens, however, is set to hit free agency following the 2024 campaign, so it shouldn’t take long for Wiggins to force himself into the starting lineup.
“With the guys that we have in our room, they’re truly interchangeable,” said defensive passing game coordinator Chris Hewitt said. “[We’re] trying to get the best guys on the field. Whatever that position is, or how we get them on the field, that’s what it’s all about.”
Drake Maye, Jacoby Brissett To Compete For Patriots’ QB1 Job
Even before the Patriots pulled the trigger on Drake Maye with the third-overall pick, it was assumed that free agent acquisition Jacoby Brissett would keep the seat warm for most (if not all) of the 2024 campaign. However, it sounds like the organization is willing to give their rookie quarterback every chance to compete for the starting job.
[RELATED: Patriots Select QB Drake Maye At No. 3]
While speaking with reporters this week, head coach Jerod Mayo acknowledged that the team hasn’t made a decision on their Week 1 quarterback starter.
“Look, Jacoby understands, he’s a mentor,” Mayo said (via NFL.com’s Cameron Wolfe). “He’s very smart, has great leadership skills, and hopefully Drake can learn something from him, as well. I would say we’re going to compete all spring, we’re going to compete during training camp, and the best player will start.”
After moving on from three-year starter Mac Jones, the Patriots scooped up old friend Brissett via free agency. The veteran would never be confused with a top-end quarterback, leading many to rightfully assume that the organization was going to select a QB at No. 3.
However, Brissett has shown that he can be competent when given the opportunity to start; he went 7-8 as a full-time starter for the Colts in 2019, and he’s since gone 6-10 in stints with the Dolphins and Browns. Considering that performance as a fill-in, Brissett has earned a reputation as one of the league’s premier backup QBs.
As Wolfe notes, many scouts were critical of Maye’s “inconsistency in accuracy and overall NFL readiness,” leading many to believe that the veteran would be the QB1 until his younger teammate was ready to go. That could still end up being the case, especially considering Brissett’s former Cleveland OC Alex Van Pelt is now leading the Patriots offense. But following New England’s worst showing in decades, there’s a chance that Robert Kraft and co. want to generate some enthusiasm with their squad, resulting in Maye leading the depth chart.
The Patriots found themselves in a similar situation back in 2021. That season, Jones was expected to temporarily take a back seat to 2020 starter Cam Newton, but the rookie ended up winning the job in the preseason. While Brissett will surely be sticking around regardless of this current outcome (Newton was ultimately cut), there’s a chance the Patriots immediately start their first-round QB for the second time in a post-Tom Brady era.
Raiders Add 17 UDFAs
After adding eight rookies via the draft, the Raiders are continuing to add young players to their roster. The team announced that they’ve signed 17 undrafted free agents:
- Carter Bradley, QB (South Alabama)
- Clark Barrington, G (Baylor)
- Andrew Coker, OT (TCU)
- Jeff Foreman, WR (Arkansas State)
- Tomari Fox, DT (North Carolina)
- TJ Franklin, DE (Baylor)
- Amari Gainer, DE (North Carolina)
- Demarcus Governor, CB (Northern Iowa)
- Lideatrick Griffin, WR (Mississippi State)
- Jake Johanning, G (Furman)
- Ramel Keyton, WR (Tennessee)
- Will Putnam, C (Clemson)
- Phalen Sanford, S (Nebraska)
- Noah Shannon, DT (Iowa)
- Ja’Quan Sheppard, CB (Maryland)
- Ron Stone, DE (Washington State)
- Rayshad Williams, CB (Texas Tech)
Carter Bradley is one of the most notable names on the list, as the QB tossed 47 touchdowns for South Alabama between 2022 and 2023. The Raiders needed to pay up to add the rookie to their roster. According to Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston, Bradley will earn a $25K signing bonus plus $100K in guaranteed base salary. The front office also gave significant chunks of cash to two undrafted offensive linemen. Furman guard Jake Johanning got a $25K signing bonus and $75K of his base salary guaranteed (via Wilson) while TCU tackle Andrew Coker got a $20K signing bonus and $75K of his salary guaranteed (via Wilson).
On defense, the Raiders gave Ron Stone a $20K signing bonus and $150K in guaranteed base salary (per Wilson). The Washington State product wrapped up his college career with a 2023 campaign where he compiled five sacks and 11 tackles for loss. Meanwhile, Maryland cornerback Ja’Quan Sheppard got a $25K signing bonus and a whopping $205K of his base salary guaranteed (via Wilson). Sheppard finished his lone season with the Terrapins with 31 tackles and eight passes defended.
Seahawks Sign 16 UDFAs
The Seahawks front office has had a busy week. In addition to signing first-round defensive tackle Byron Murphy to his rookie contract, the organization has added 16 undrafted rookies to the roster:
- Sunny Anderson, LB (Grambling State)
- Nelson Ceaser, DL (Houston)
- Chevan Cordeiro, QB (San Jose State)
- Easton Gibbs, LB (Wyoming)
- Garret Greenfield, OT (South Dakota State)
- Hayden Hatten, WR (Idaho)
- George Holani, RB (Boise State)
- Carlton Johnson, CB (Fresno State)
- DeVere Levelston, DE (SMU)
- Kobe Lewis, RB (Florida Atlantic)
- Mike Novitsky, C (Kansas)
- Ro Torrence, CB (Arizona State)
- Jack Westover, TE (Washington)
- Dee Williams, WR (Tennessee)
- Rason Williams II, LB (Louisiana Tech)
- TaMerik Williams, RB (North Dakota State)
A handful of Seattle’s UDFAs earned notable bonuses. After compiling 2,993 yards and 21 touchdowns at Boise State over the past three years, running back George Holani got a $15K signing bonus and $100K of his base salary guaranteed, per NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo. Elsewhere on offense, Jack Westover earned a $25K signing bonus and $50K guaranteed on his salary, per Aaron Wilson of KPRC2 in Houston. The Washington tight end was a productive member of the offense over the past two years, hauling in 77 catches for 775 yards and five touchdowns. South Dakota State offensive lineman Garret Greenfield got the most guaranteed money of the bunch. Wilson notes that the rookie got $195K in guaranteed money, including a $20K signing bonus.
On the other side of the ball, the Seahawks paid of a pair of undrafted defensive linemen. After collecting 17 sacks and 27.5 tackles for loss in three seasons at Houston, Nelson Ceaser got $110K guaranteed, including a $10K signing bonus, per ESPN’s Brady Henderson. Grambling State’s Sunny Anderson got the same guarantees to catch on with Seattle, per Wilson.
Chargers Sign WR DJ Chark
DJ Chark is catching on with his fourth team in four years. The free agent wideout has agreed to a deal with the Chargers, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Chark will be signing a one-year deal worth up to $5MM, per Rapoport. The veteran wide receiver visited the organization prior to the draft.
The former second-round pick spent the first four seasons of his career with the Jaguars, including a 2019 campaign where he compiled 1,008 receiving yards and eight touchdowns. He couldn’t put up the same volume in 2020, and he hit free agency following an injury-riddled 2021 campaign.
Still, Chark managed to garner a $10MM contract from the Lions that offseason, and he bounced back with 30 catches for 502 yards in 2022. He got a one-year, $5MM deal with the Panthers last offseason and put up similar numbers, finishing with 35 catches for 525 yards and five scores.
After moving on from both Keenan Allen and Mike Williams this offseason, the Chargers have been connected to several of the remaining veteran WRs on the market. In addition to Chark, the team also expressed interest in Marquez Valdes-Scantling. Considering the team’s depth chart, this latest move shouldn’t take them out of the running for further reinforcement.
The team’s current receivers room is led by 2023 first-round pick Quentin Johnston, and the team is still rostering Josh Palmer. The organization recently used a second-round pick on Ladd McConkey, and they also added rookies Brenden Rice and Cornelius Johnson in the seventh round (along with three UDFAs at the position). That makes Los Angeles a solid landing spot for Chark, who could improve his market value receiving passes from Justin Herbert. The free agent acquisition should also have a bit of a head start with the offense, as he played under current Chargers WRs coach (and former Jaguars WRs coach) Sanjay Lal when the two were in Jacksonville.
Minor NFL Transactions: 5/2/24
Today’s minor moves:
Baltimore Ravens
- Deemed international roster exemption: LB David Ojabo
Minnesota Vikings
- Invited to rookie minicamp: TE Sammis Reyes
The Ravens carved out an extra roster spot after having been granted an international roster exemption for linebacker David Ojabo. The NFL allows teams to carry an extra international player on their roster as long as the individual “is a person whose citizenship and principal place of residence are outside the United States and Canada” and has “a maximum of two years of United States high school experience.”
Normally, this is reserved for undrafted players, with many of those players entering the league via the NFL International Pathway Program. However, the Ravens got creative with Ojabo, who is a former second-round pick. The linebacker was born in Nigeria and grew up in the United Kingdom, and he only came to the United States when he was 17. The Michigan product’s NFL career has been highlighted by injuries, with Ojabo being limited to only five appearances through two seasons in Baltimore.
The move allows the Ravens to now carry 91 players on their offseason roster.